Toll Hikes But No ARC Tunnel

by Donald Hanson • February 10, 2011 • Newsy Jersey • Comments (1) • 1959

The 2008 and upcoming 2012 toll hikes on the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and Atlantic City Expressway were scheduled a few years ago to help raise money for the ARC tunnel project that has now been canceled. Now there is a fight over whether the toll hikes can be rolled back. Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and other Democratic senators have introduced legislation intended to roll back the toll increases, but Governor Christie wants to just keep them and then to divert the money into the Transportation Trust Fund.

Sweeney said. “When the two-tiered toll increase plan was instituted in 2008, the Turnpike Authority held town hall meetings with New Jersey residents to inform them of the added cost and benefits of the ARC tunnel. This legislation would require the Governor to make the same pitch to drivers and taxpayers, rather than a bait and switch which will extend the toll increase into the foreseeable future.”

Parkway ramp tolls were increased from 35 cents to 50 cents in 2008, and will raise to 75 cents in 2012. Another 10-cent increase in 2023 was eliminated.

On the Turnpike, an average 23-mile trip went from $1.20 to $1.70 in 2008 and to $2.60 in 2012.

The Atlantic Expressway raised the Egg Harbor Plaza toll from its $2 to $3. Tolls at most ramps along the Expressway were increased from 50 cents to 75 cents.

Click here to read more at NJ.com on the toll hikes.